Some Conclusions and Speculations from the Trends
The estimated percent
uninsured increased in 2005 and 2006 from
earlier years. We believe that with fewer
businesses, especially smaller
establishments, offering health care and
fewer employees taking it, more people will
not have health care coverage.
lHOWEVER
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Poverty persists at high rates in Nevada and nationwide and until the economic recovery filters down to all people, more people may be eligible for government-sponsored health care coverage.
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There are more Hispanics in Nevada than in 1990 AND Hispanics are less likely to have health coverage. The Hispanic population is expected to continue to grow because of higher birth rates and continuing immigration – and Nevada (along with other western states) will continue to gain a disproportionate share.
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Unemployment rates did decline and are lower in Nevada than in the U.S., yet Nevada persists in having higher uninsured rates than the U.S. – possibly due to the employment structure (more jobs that don’t offer affordable health care coverage or don’t offer it at all).
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In general, the trend is toward fewer workers participating in private health insurance plans due to co-pay and other considerations. Thus, more people above poverty may be without coverage (Bureau of Labor Statistics - BLS, 2000).
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Employees in small firms are less likely to have health insurance benefits (because fewer firms offer it and, when they do, fewer employees take it) (BLS, 2000). Over 94% of Nevada’s firms are “small” and employ about 54% of Nevada’s workers (U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2006). It will be important to watch whether future business formation will continue to be in smaller business establishments.
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Part-time and seasonal workers will continue to be less likely to be offered employer-sponsored health insurance ŕ a special population that persists in Nevada’s rural counties (U.S. Department of Agriculture).
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Fewer persons than the national average appear to participate in Medicaid programs in Nevada. (Medicaid totals include persons enrolled in Nevada Checkup programs.) Continued outreach programs are necessary because it appears that not all eligible persons participate.
